America 250
This year, we are celebrating three big milestones here in Canton: it’s the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Collins Company; the 220th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Canton; and of course the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. Canton’s America 250 Committee has been working to plan a number of events celebrating these milestones this summer and we hope you will join us in celebration!
Check the library calendar for upcoming events. You can filter events by “America 250” to see just those programs.
Upcoming Events:
What A Glorious CRASH They Made: Musick of Connecticut’s Revolution
On July 23, the Canton Public Library is pleased to host Richard Franklin Donohue, tenor and harpsichord, performing a collection of songs published in Connecticut during the American Revolution. Prior to the concert, we will be paying tribute to Canton’s Revolutionary War soldiers. For more information click here.
Working For the Revolution: Patriot Women’s Lives During the War. September 2, 6:30PM. Presented by the Canton Historical Museum and the Canton Public Library. More information to come.
Tapping Into The Past: Tavern Life in Early Connecticut. September 15, 6:30PM, Canton Public Library. More information to come.
The Mystery of the French Paymaster. October 8, 6:30PM. Presented by the Canton Historical Museum and the Canton Public Library. More information to come.
From Liberty to Legacy: Exploring American ideals in the musicals 1776 and Hamilton. November 5, 6:30PM, Canton Public Library. More information to come.
Ongoing Events:
Adult Summer Reading Challenge: Read Across America
This summer, the Canton Public Library invites you to explore America! Stop in at the library to pick up your reading log. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, read as many books as you can – each one set in a different state. For every three states you read, you will receive an entry to win a fun end-of-summer prize. Need ideas for what to read? We can help you with that too! Come visit us and get ready for a summer of armchair travel across the country.
Canton Honors Revolutionary War Veterans
As the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Canton’s America 250 Committee is taking steps to honor the local men who answered the call to freedom in its earliest days.
On April 19, 1775, three militia companies from Simsbury, Connecticut responded to the Lexington Alarm following the opening battles at Lexington and Concord. At the time, Canton was part of Simsbury, and more than 20 men from what is now Canton marched in support of Massachusetts patriots. Their response marked the beginning of Connecticut’s involvement in the Revolutionary War.
Historical research has since determined that more than 100 Canton residents served during the American Revolution. Of those soldiers, more than 80 are buried in cemeteries throughout the town, a testament to Canton’s deep-rooted role in the fight for independence.
The research effort has been led by Canton’s America 250 Committee, with significant contributions from the Canton Historian Kathy Taylor, members of the Abigail Phelps Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and local cemetery managers. Their work has focused on identifying and documenting Revolutionary War soldiers laid to rest in Canton’s historic burial grounds. Additional financial support has been provided by the Collinsville Fire Department.
This spring, Canton Boy Scout Troop 77, led by Scoutmaster David Orschel, assisted with the project by placing American flags on the identified Revolutionary War gravesites. The Scouts will also record GPS coordinates for each grave, helping to ensure the locations are preserved and accessible for future generations. The collected information will be submitted to FindAGrave.com, creating a permanent digital record of Canton’s Revolutionary War veterans and ensuring their service is remembered as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial celebration.
Come learn more about this project at the Canton Public Library on July 23. Click here for more information.
Town Decorations
The Collinsville Volunteer Fire Corporation has generously provided support to enhance the Town’s gazebo on the green. As a result of their efforts, the gazebo will be adorned with red, white and blue lights, creating a vibrant and patriotic atmosphere. These decorations will remain in place throughout the summer months, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the festive display during community gatherings and events.
Additionally, the Canton Flower Bridge is home to beautiful red, white, and blue flowers. The many people who travel River Road and use the bike trail will be able to enjoy this display all summer long, thanks to Canton Main Street.
Past events:
April 2025: “Two Lights for Tomorrow” national initiative: Two lights were displayed in the windows of the Canton Public Library on April 18 to mark the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride and the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The library hosted a supply drive for Interval House as part of the “Day of Service” part of the initiative.
August 2025: Traveling Exhibition from the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History: “The American Revolution: Artifacts and Stories from Across Connecticut,” at the Canton Public Library
August 2025: Exhibit on the history of Canton’s Humphrey family, Canton Public Library
September 2025: Lecture: “Tories, Spies, and Traitors: Divided Loyalty in Revolutionary Connecticut”
October 2025: Concert: “Washington’s Favorite, The Nation’s Guest: Songs of Lafayette’s Time in America”
October 2025: “Haunted Collinsville” reading and discussion
October 2025 – April 2026: Book discussion series. Books discussed: Over My Head Body: Unearthing the Hidden History of America’s Cemeteries (Greg Melville); Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President (Candice Millard); Travels With George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy (Nathaniel Philbrick); Founding Mothers (Cokie Roberts)
November 2025 – April 2026: “A More Perfect Union” four-lecture series, in collaboration with Avon, Simsbury, Farmington, and UConn Law Libraries.
February 2026: Presentation: From The Declaration of Independence to the Gettysburg Address
April 2026: Lecture: The Web They Wove: Women and Their Wardrobes During New England’s Revolution
June 2026: CT Open House Day, Canton Historical Museum
June 2026: Canton Center Historic District Commission historic site tour
June 2026: The Canton Public Library was one of two libraries in Connecticut selected by ALA to host a livestream of TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures on Saturday, June 13.
June 2026: Farmington Valley Stage Company presents We the People
June – July 2026: Collinsville Historical Scavenger Hunt
July 2026: Front Door and Porch Decorating Contest
July 2026: Community Celebration: the Stanley Street Big Band takes the stage at Mills Pond Park as part of the Summer Concert Series, and we’re celebrating!
July 8, 2026: Public reading of the Declaration of Independence